Melbourne Vs Gws Giants: Demons Face GWS After 14-Goal Burst

Melbourne vs Gws Giants arrives in Alice Springs on Sunday with both clubs carrying form lines that point in opposite directions. Melbourne enters round 12 at 7-4, but it comes in after missing a chance to climb into the top four and after three straight losses in Alice Springs.

Greater Western Sydney brings a 5-6 record and fresh momentum from a record-breaking 14-goal third term against Brisbane. The Giants have not won two games in a row this season, which leaves this trip to TIO Traeger Park carrying real weight for both sides.

TIO Traeger Park pressure

Steven King has to manage Melbourne without Jake Lever and Changkuoth Jiath, while Max Gawn is expected to carry most of the ruck work with Max Heath omitted. Brody Mihocek and Latrelle Pickett are back, and Andy Moniz-Wakefield comes in for his second game of the year.

That mix gives Melbourne some forward support, but the omissions leave a hole in the back half and add more responsibility to Gawn in the middle. The Demons also know this ground has not been kind to them, after losing a nailbiter to Greater Western Sydney here in 2023.

Giants bring form back

Greater Western Sydney arrives with Lachie Whitfield and Leek Aleer back in the side, while Sam Taylor plays his first game of the season. Jack Buckley and Jake Riccardi miss through injury, and Harrison Oliver has been omitted.

The Giants have already shown they can turn a game quickly, and last week’s 14-goal third term against Brisbane was the clearest sign of that. They also own recent control in this matchup, having won their past three games against Melbourne by a combined seven points.

Melbourne's Alice Springs run

Melbourne’s challenge is sharper because the Alice Springs record sits alongside a missed chance to move into the top four. King’s side had chances late against the Western Bulldogs and failed to take them, then walks into a contest against an opponent that has edged them narrowly and handled this venue before.

For the Giants, this is a chance to turn one burst into two straight wins for the first time all season. For Melbourne, it is about breaking a three-match slide in Alice Springs before the numbers around its season tighten further.